It looks like a good resolution for now. The houses are broken, but it seems the residents were able to evacuate safely.
“Now that that spineless king is gone, I’m leaving.”
“Eh, Sister, you’re leaving?”
Right, I wonder if Tomoe is going to be okay. The damage she sustained was considerable.
“Don’t worry, I just need to rest a bit. I’m going to the centipedes. See you later, Yabuki, and Sphinx. Bring me back a souvenir next time we meet.”
“Why do I have to? Well, I do know what you might like.”
Tomoe, her body tattered, left with the morning sun after the battle was over. On the other hand, her brother, left behind, was apologizing to Sarakka.
“I’m sorry for destroying the village. From now on, my sister and I will rule the flock. We won’t trespass on your territory anymore.”
“Ah, I’m counting on it.”
In the end, wasn’t this for the best? We can now live and trade without fearing Manticore attacks. Furthermore, unlike before, they are an opponent we can communicate with. This is what they mean by “after the rain comes the sunshine.” Come to think of it, did Tomoe know that Elana was Sphinx from the beginning? I thought she was just a man-eating beast, but she might be surprisingly knowledgeable.
“Haa, I really didn’t know what was going to happen. Even we didn’t want to fight that thing.”
“Indeed, I was also scared.”
Nina and Philiana were wiping sweat from their brows, looking exhausted. I completely agreed with them. Then, Yabuki, who had been talking with Sarakka, walked towards us.
“I’m sorry for getting you all involved.”
“No, are you okay, Yabuki? You were bitten on the neck.”
“Ah, that. It hurt a lot, but since I’m male, I have plenty of mane.”
He scratched the back of his head, saying, “I am male, after all.” Come to think of it, Tomoe and Yabuki, and the other Manticores, have somewhat unusual names. Is there a reason for that?
“Hey, does your name, Yabuki, have any meaning?”
“No, not particularly. For us, names are just to identify individuals. It seems my parents took it from something written in a book long ago.”
“I see. Also, this might be a bit difficult to ask, but the previous kings were strong, right? Is it okay that they’re gone?”
Would the flock be alright without a formidable figure like the one said to have defeated the Giant Centipede? They could even use magic. However, in response to my question, he chuckled.
“About that, ah, are you talking about the story of defeating the Giant Centipede? Well, he did participate. But he didn’t fight alone. We are a flock, so of course, we are many.”
So that’s how it is. He’s strong, but it’s impossible for him to do it alone. That means Tomoe participated in that battle, which is why she could so smoothly aim for the neck.
“Right, sorry for asking awkward questions. I apologize for holding you up. Thank you for your help. Please tell Tomoe that too.”
“Yes, thank you for not causing any more trouble.”
Yabuki bowed politely and followed his flock mates back. Just then, as if to take their place, a bandit group appeared.
“Hey! Sharin, are you okay?! We came to help! Where is the Manticore!”
Riding at the front on a Landodo is Sharin’s best friend, Kia.
“Ah, huh? They’re gone.”
“Kia! You came, just in time!”
Kia dismounted from the Landodo and looked around. It seemed she was a little late. Still, Sharin looked very happy to see her friend again.
“Just in time? What do you mean, it’s already over? Fine, everyone, let’s go back.”
“Wait, wait, we have work to do. Look, the village is tattered. Help us repair it.”
“Ehhhhh! Sharin, I… I quit being a bandit. You can’t ask me to do that!”
As Kia reluctantly refused, Sharin pressed her. She must have intended to fight the Manticore.
“No, I’ll pay you. We need your help now. I even lost a tooth.”
Sarakka laughed, and Kia reluctantly nodded. Good, they wouldn’t have to worry about food for a while. He, who had been smiling lightly, suddenly turned serious and looked at us.
“Philiana, Cecilia, and all my companions, I apologize. I am deeply disappointed in myself for this incident. No amount of apologies will excuse it.”
“It’s alright. As a result, we were able to meet again like this. Besides, the outcome of this wasn’t necessarily bad.”
Philiana said, pointing to the residents who had evacuated.
